living the family life that comes naturally

Both. I don’t think these things are mutually exclusive. I can be completely gung-ho about a project. In fact, sometimes I am so singularly focused I can drive myself and everyone around me crazy. At other times, I have a harder time focusing and I procrastinate like crazy. A perfect example? Right now. I sit down determined to write my daily post … and then I decide I need to make myself a second cup of coffee. Oh, and music, I need some music. But first I have to reorganize my iPod and add some music that isn’t on there but that I really want to listen to. Right. Now. Oh, look, there’s a Facebook notification. And maybe I’ll have a little look-see at my blog stats.

See? This is why it takes me forever to write a blog post. I’m too easily distracted and I leave things until the last minute. In university I was the classic, write-a-paper-the-night-before-it-was-due kind of student. I’ve been sitting on two threatening letters from Public Health about my two of my kids’ vaccinations not being up to date for a couple of months. (They are up to date; I just need to make a phone call to make this all go away.) I guess I tend to work better under pressure. Sink or swim.

I also like checking things off my to-to list. I find it tremendously satisfying. When I am feeling really stressed and overwhelmed, one of the things I do – one of the things I need to do – is make a list. Not a list on my phone. Not a list in my head. Like, a real pen and paper list. Years ago I swore off paper (pshaw, who uses paper anymore?!). I do almost everything electronically, but every once in a while, I need a list I can have in front of me. I very recently started carrying around a notebook and pen. The idea was so foreign to me at first but I realize more and more that sometimes it’s just what I need to focus.

I think that recognizing what each of us needs in order to deal with the pressures we all face is important. I have realized that what I need can change – sometimes from situation to situation. More sleep, exercise, a pen and paper, talking to a friend, writing it down, sometimes all of these things and sometimes something completely different, are how I cope with pressure.

One thought on “Under Pressure”

Somedays I’m really bad about procrastination, and others I’m on top of things. I guess it depends on the mood I’m in. I don’t like pressure, so I try to strike a balance between being on top and drowning.